Dog Park Closer To Completion

Parks and Recreation crew member Jim Tani hauls away debris as town crews trim trees on property bordering the site of Newtown’s new Park and Bark dog park, which should be ready to welcome canine friends this spring. Park and Bark, which will include water features, will be an off-leash park for dogs. Recreation members also completed additional site work at the Old farm Road parcel this week.

Nelson Lopes with the Parks and Recreation Department throws grass seed across graded ground surrounding a concrete slab and overhang.

Grass seed flew as Nelson Lopes pushed a spreader across sloping ground at the Park and Bark dog park site Wednesday, October 30. He worked with other Parks and Recreation Department crew members this week including Jim Tani, John Moore, Tom Pendergast, and John Benvenuti.

Across what will be a lawn area next spring, town crews were at work along the tree line clearing dead brush and trimming evergreens.

Pointing to the area’s perimeter, Mr Moore said fencing, scheduled for installation starting this week, will enclose the space where dogs will be able to run off leash. The park will likely be ready this spring, he said.

Centered on a rise is a concrete slab overlooking open meadows below the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard headquarters. Areas near the slab will contain water features.

The dog park, located on Old Farm Road just past the Brian J. Silverlieb Animal Care and Control Center, is made possible through both town funds and donations.

Parks and Recreation Assistant Director RoseAnn Reggiano, who has spearheaded the dog park efforts along with a Park and Bark volunteer committee, said that agility equipment could be installed as soon as next week. Once the park is completed, “we may hold a soft opening so people can start using it, then have a grand opening in the spring,” she said.

Park features will include a splash pad, agility course with weave poles, jumps, ramps, and tunnels, benches, water fountains, and a pet shower to rinse paws and feet, and the overhanging shade structure on the concrete.

The total project cost is roughly $200,000. The original park budget was just $50,000 for a fence, but the project scope increased thanks to donation and beneficiary funds.

Ms Reggiano is also planning a purchase-a-brick campaign to continue raising funds for ongoing costs, supplies, and plantings.

“Several years ago I had wanted to be the number one dog park, and I am going that way,” she said.